100 yen 1945
About This Note
This is an exceptional example of a Japanese Military 100 Yen banknote from 1945, graded in uncirculated condition with pristine paper and no visible wear. The note features elegant classical design elements including flying cranes at the top, ornate scrollwork, and a prominent red circular imperial seal, demonstrating the sophisticated engraving techniques employed by Japanese wartime currency production. This Pick M21 represents a fascinating numismatic artifact from the final year of World War II, combining aesthetic refinement with historical significance.
Common. Japanese military occupation currency from 1945, particularly in higher denominations like the 100 Yen note, was produced in substantial quantities for circulation in occupied territories. While these notes are historically significant and collectible, they were not issued in limited quantities and many examples survive, particularly in better grades from protected collections. The Pick M21 100 Yen note is widely available to collectors in both circulated and uncirculated conditions.
Issued by the Great Japanese Imperial Government in 1945 during the final months of World War II, this banknote represents Japanese military occupation currency with dual-language inscriptions reflecting Japan's expansion into China. The chrysanthemum emblem and imperial seal underscore the authority of the Japanese state, while the bilingual format (Japanese and Chinese) illustrates the complex colonial relationship during this period. The note's survival in uncirculated condition is particularly noteworthy given the tumultuous final months of the war and immediate post-war currency reforms.
The front features two cranes in flight at the top center, symbolizing longevity and peace in East Asian artistic tradition, flanked by elaborate scrollwork and ornamental corner designs. A prominent red circular seal representing imperial authority is positioned in the center-left area. The denomination 100 appears in Arabic numerals at the bottom corners with large Chinese characters (百圓) in the center. The reverse displays an ornate scalloped cloud-pattern border in green, a design motif derived from traditional East Asian decorative arts. Two cartouche-style panels with cloud scrollwork contain Chinese-language legal warnings and exchange information. The overall color scheme employs black, gray, and cream on the front with green dominating the reverse, creating a visually sophisticated and distinctly Japanese-influenced design appropriate to the issuing authority.
FRONT SIDE: 大日本帝國政府 (Great Japanese Imperial Government) | 百圓 (100 Yen) | 100 (Arabic numeral denomination). BACK SIDE: 100 (Arabic numeral) | YEN (English) | 圓 (Yuan/Yen - currency unit) | 此票到期即換此面所開日本購得 (This note can be exchanged upon maturity/opening date shown on this side, obtained in Japan) | 如造偽或挖修者均應罰不賓 (Counterfeiting or alteration will be punished as prescribed).
Intaglio (copperplate/steel engraving) process, as evidenced by the intricate fine-line engraving visible throughout both sides, particularly in the ornamental borders, scrollwork, and the precision of the floral and geometric patterns. The security printer for Pick M21 notes was the Imperial Japanese Government Printing Bureau (Zaisei Insatsu Kyoku). The multi-color printing (black/gray/cream front, green reverse) was achieved through sequential intaglio passes, a standard technique for high-security currency production of this era.
Pick M21 represents the standard 1945 issuance. Variations within this Pick number may include different serial number prefixes, printing dates, or subtle engraving differences between press runs; however, the visual analysis provided does not reveal serial numbers or dates with sufficient clarity to specify these varieties. No overprints or unusual markings are apparent in the observed images that would constitute a distinct variety.
